SZD-30 Pirat

|} The SZD-30 Pirat is a single-seat multi-purpose glider aircraft from the Polish firm PZL Bielsko, which first flew in 1966 and was produced beginning in 1967.

Development

The SZD-30 is of wooden construction. The high-mounted wing incorporates air brakes on both upper and lower surfaces. The inner section of the wing is constant-chord and the outer section is tapered.

The forward section of the otherwise all-wood fuselage is made of fiberglass. The single-wheel main landing gear is fixed. The formed one-piece canopy is side-mounted. The fuselage can be equipped with radios and oxygen system. There are two baggage compartments. Water ballast is not available.

Variants

• SZD-30 - initial production version, with fully balanced ailerons
• SZD-30B - a single prototype
• SZD-30C - later production version, with smaller partially balanced ailerons of fiberglass, and larger cockpit. The first -30C flew on 10 January 1978.

Specifications

SZD-30 Pirat

General characteristics

• Crew: 1
• Length: 6.86 m (22 ft 6 in)
• Wingspan: 15.00 m (49 ft 3 in)
• Height: 0.96 m (3 ft 2 in)
• Wing area: 13.8 m² (148.5 ft²)
• Aspect ratio: 16.3
• Wing profile: FX-61-168/60-1261
• Empty weight: 260 kg (573 lb)
• Gross weight: 370 kg (816 lb)

Performance

• Maximum speed: 250 km/h (155 mph)
• Maximum glide ratio: 33
• Rate of sink: 0.7 m/s (138 ft/min)

Operational Limitations

In 2011, following a number of cases of glue failure in wooden joints leading to structural failure, the type certificate holder issued a bulletin which reduces a number of the limiting speeds of the aircraft. Specifically, the maximum speed (V_NE) is reduced to 195 km/h (121 mph, 105 knots) and aerobatic flight is prohibited.

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to SZD-30 Pirat.

• Sailplane Directory